Tap-valve.



C. F. TERNEY.

TAPVALVE.

APPucATloN man JULY s. 1912.

Patented May16,1916.

z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. F. TERNEY.

TAP VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 6,1912.

1 183,048.` Patented May 16, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'ml CoLUMBlA PLANoGRAPI-l so., VAxHlNG'roN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. TERNEY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARREL & CASK CLOSURE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TAP-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application led July 6, 1912. Serial No. 708,016.

'tap valves or closures for tapping beer or other liquids from barrels and the like by the use of fluid pressure.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which will insure a reliable gas tight closure of du rable construction and easy operation.

In my Patentl 938,288, granted Oct. 26, 1909, I have shown and described a device of the above-mentioned type in which the valve, as it is rotated to the open position to permit the insertion of the draft tube, is simultaneously moved away from the bottom of the bushing, whereby in the open position of the device a space exists between the valve and the seat. In such 'construction, if any particles of dirt or other 'Aforeign matter should enter this space there is always the danger that the valve cannot be closed tightly when rotated in the proper direction to accomplish that result.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device which will have all the advantages of the barrel valve described in my said patent but which will be free from the disadvantage pointed out above.

lVith this object in view my invention consists in the features, details of construction, and combination of'parts, which willY first be described in connection withthe accompanying drawings and then particularly pointed out in the claims. t

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a sectional view of a tap valve embodying my invention, in its closed position, the tap being shown partly in section and partly in elevation, in a position ready to open said valve. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the valve and tap with part of av draft tube in elevation, the valve being in an open position. Fig. 3 is a plan'view and Fig. 4 a central section View of the valve bushing. Fig. 5 is a plany view and Fig. 6 a side elevation of the valve body and its accompanylng plate spring. Fig. 7 a plan view and Fig. 8 a

central section of the outer member of the` plug. Fig. 9 is a side elevation and Fig. 10

a top plan view of the inner member of said plug. Fig. 1l is a top plan view of the removable valve plate. Fig. 12 is a side elevatlon partly in section of the check valve to the pressure inlet. Fig. 13 is an end view of said check valve showing the inner end. Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the outer end of said valve; and Fig. lis a view of the inner end of the tap.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the bushing of the valve, said bushing being circular in form and 'suitably arranged to be secured to a barrel or'other receptacle. In the present instance it isprovided on its periphery with a screw thread a whereby the bushing is secured within an opening in the head of the barrel, said bushing also having a head B at its inner end which has a port or Opening Z2 located eccentrically, that is to say, at one side' of the center of the head B. The outer surface of the head B is provided with a complete annular trackb, slightly raised as shown in Figs.l 3 and 4., and the port or opening b is surrounded by a valve seat b2 also slightly raised above the outer surface of thebottom, the annular track and the seat b2 having their outer surfaces in one plane.

The lower or inner part of the bore of the y,bushing is provided with van internal lefthanded screw thread c. The outer part of the bore ofthe bushing is somewhat larger in diameter than the inner screw threaded portion and is provided on opposite sides close to the outer face of the bushing with cam projections d having inclined lower faces, as shown in Fig. 4. Between the corresponding ends of the cam projections, spaces are left as will be clear from Fig. 3. The interior of the bushing is provided with an inward projecting stop d as shown in Figs. 3 and 4f. A plug is provided for the bushing, this plug comprising an outer part E and an inner part E. The outer` part consists of a substantially cup-shaped portion having a flanged edge e, two opposite portions of which are extended radially as indicated at e', these extended portions being of such a size as to permit them to pass between the respective opposite ends of the cam projections d. The part E is further provided with a countersunk opening arrangedto receive the head of a machine screw as indicated at e2 and also with a circular port e* having its center about 90O from the centers of the extended portions e. The part E is furthermore provided with oppositely located notches e3 adjacent to the said portions e. The inner part E is provided externallv with left-handed screw threads so that it may be screwed into the screw-threaded portion c of the bushing. The said part E is also provided with a circular port indicated at e5, Fig. l0, and arranged to register with the corresponding port et, Fig. 7, in the outer part E of the plug. The outer face of the part E is provided with two recesses c6 arranged to receive segmental extensions c7 on the inner face of the part E, Fig. 8. The

part E has two holes e8 and c respectively,

located on the rib el@ between the recesses e6. The outer and inner parts E and E respectively are held together by a machine screw ell threaded into the opening es in the part E', the head of the screw being received in the countersunk opening e2 in the part E as will be clear in Fig. 2. In this position the segmental extensions c7 enter the recesses e and thereby insure the rotation of the two parts E, E in unison. A valve body F, Fig. 6, is provided; this valve body comprising a disk-like portion 71 having a substantially diametrical dovetail groove in its inner surface. A sleeve f is formed integral with the disk and extends outward therefrom, this sleeve or tube being of such e a size externally as to fit closely, but not tight, in the ports e4 and e5 of the parts E, E while the interior of the tube f is arranged to receive a draft tube Gr, Fig. 2, passing loosely therethrough. It is to be noted that the sleeve f', which fits closely the ports c4 and c5 of the parts E, E, effectively prevents the entry of foreign matter into the space between E and the valve member F. The disk f also carries an outward extending pillar f2 arranged to enter and play loosely in the hole e9 in the part E', this pillar being screw-threaded at its outer end to receive a machine screw 7f3 whose head is countersunk as shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the valve body is movable axially with respect to the plug, that is to say, it has a certain amount of play to-ward and from the plug parts, but at the same time is compelled to rotate with said plug parts E and E.

.si plate spring H approximately in the Jform of a maltese cross and arranged between the pillar f2 and the tubular sleeve 7 is located intermediate the valve body and the plug, this spring serving to hold the valve body, yieldingly away from the plug, the extent of suoli movement being limited by the head of the screw f3. The inner face of the disk f is arranged to carry a valve plate I provided on its inner surface with a dovetailed rib z' arranged to enter the dovetailed groove in the inner face of said disk f. Owing to this method of connection the valve plate I is detachably connected with the valve body and may be readily removed from the body when necessary.' The said valve plate I is provided with an eccentrically located port 2 registering exactly with the inner bore of the tubular sleeve f. When the parts `herein'before described are assembled, the screw threaded portion E can be rotated about half a revolution, since the stop d is located in the path of the outward extensions e and thereby limits the amount of rotation of the plug. Owing to the left-handed thread c the left-handed rotation of the plug moves the latter inward and also carries the tubular sleeve f away from alinement with the port b of the bushing, the spring plate H being compressed and thereby forcing the valve plate I tightly against the annular track 7) and valve seat b2 so as to insure an absolutely gas tight closure. A right-handed rotation of the plug moves the same outward and at the limit of this outward movement the sleeve f is brought in alinement with the port b in the bushing, while at the same time, a1-

though some of the tension is taken off the f spring plate H in order to avoid undue friction, yet the spring is still sui'liciently tensioncd to maintain the valve plate I in close contact with the seat 712 to prevent any entrance of liquid or dirt between the valve and valve plate.

The valve can only be disassembled by first removing the screw ell. In order to prevent unauthorized removal of this screw by the use of any ordinary tools its head is not slotted in the usual way but is provided with oppositely arranged short radial notches extending from a solid center as shown at the left of Fig. 8, whereby it becomes necessary to use a special key for the removal of said screw. After the screw is removed the part E may be turned with a suitable tool, until the extensions e are freed from the cam projections d, and then withdrawn from the bushing. The part E may then be unscrewed with a suitable tool and withdrawn, together with the valve body. In this way the parts can be examined and, if necessary, the valve plate I may be replaced by a new one. The removal of the screw f3 permits the separation of the valve body F from the part E if inspection or replacement of the spring plate H should be required. Owing to the peculiar shape of this spring plate it is held in place laterally by means of the pillai` f2 and sleeve f while its four prongs distribute the spring pressure in a substantially uniform manner to the disk f.

N represents the tubular body of the tap which is arranged eccentrically on the rear or outer side of a coupling head O and which is provided with a laterally projecting nozzle p, opposite which is a hollow laterally projecting handle p. The body of the tap is adapted to receive the tapping or draft tube whereby the liquid is withdrawn from the barrel. The nozzle p is adapted to receive a tube or conduit through which compressed air or gas is delivered into the barrel for forcing or expelling the liquid therein through the draft tube. The coupling head O is provided on its inner side with a tubular shank 1' which is adapted to enter the outer or rear end of the bushing and around this bushing the coupling `head is provided on its inner side with a packing ring 7" of rubber or other suitable material which is adapted to engage with the outer face of the bushing and form a tight joint between the same and the coupling head while the tapping device is in operation.

Mea-ns are provided for compelling the tap to turn with the plug for opening and closing the valve and also detachably connecting the same with the bushing. The preferred means for this purpose as shown in the drawings consist of a pair of lugs s, s, formed Within the bore of the shank 7' and adapted to enter the notches e3 formed in the outer part of the plug and two coupling lugs t, t, projecting laterally from diametrically opposite sides of the periphery of the shank and adapted to cooperate with the tightening ribs ci of the bushing. In attaching the tap to the plug and bushing, the tap is first placed with its laterally projecting lugs t, t, in alinement with the spaces between the ribs d of the bushing and is then moved forwardly so that its shank enters the outer end of the bushing and its laterally projecting lugs t, t, pass through the spaces between the ribs, its lugs s, s, entering the notches e3 of the plug head. After the tap has been thus applied to the bushing and plug it is turned toward the right, thereby causing the laterally projecting lugs t, t, of the shank to engage with the inclined front sides of the ribs cl of the bushing, the head of the tap and the packing 1" thereby drawing firmly against the outer end of the bushing, and forming a tight connection between these parts. While thus turning the tap for connecting the same with the bushing, the plug is also turned by means of the interlocking lugs and notches e3, thereby causing the sleeve f of the valve body to be brought in alinement with the port of the bushing head. In the coupled position of the tap and plug, the body of the tap is in line with the openings of the plug so that when the valve is opened, the port of the bushing head, the openings of the plug head, and the tubular body of the tap are all in alinement.

Before turning the tap for opening the valve, the tapping pipe or rod G is pushed part way through the stufing box g at the outer end of the tap and after the latter has been fully turned toward the right together .With the plug, the tapping rod is pushed inwardly through the openings of the plug and the port of the bushing into the barrel for withdrawing the liquid therefrom.

Vhen disconnecting the tapping device from the barrel, the tapping rod is first withdrawn from the barrel and into the body of the tap and then the latter is turned i toward the left until the tightening lugs on its shank are disengaged from the inclined inner sides of the bushing ribs and brought into alinement with the spaces between the same. Thereafter the .tap may be withdrawn axially from the bushing and the plug head. While thus turning the tap toward the left for disengaging the same from the plug, the latter is also turned in the same directionV for bringing its stopper over the valve seat of the bushing and closing the valve.

It will be noted that in the act of attaching the coupling to the bushing the valve will be opened and that these parts can not particularly adapting it for use with a tap of the present type. This check-valve comprises a body portion having a central or axial opening, one end of the body portion being formed as a nipple, u, for the attachment of a hose or pipe. A. flange u', outside of which is a nut u2 is formed integral with the body portion at an intermediate point, and at the end inside this flange are provided screw-threaded portions ua, ut, the one, us, nearest the flange being of larger diameter than the other.

The extreme inner end of the body portion is properly surfaced off to form a seat. To the screw-threaded portion uf is screwed a casing V, Fig. 13, whose inner end is provided with a central guiding opening e and with a series of openings c around the central guiding opening o and arranged to allow the passage of air or gas.

A valve'W having a guiding stem w is l located within the casing, said stem fw passing through the central guiding opening c. The valve lV also has a smaller stem w projecting outwardly into the central bore of the valve body but of less diameter than the same. The valve W is grooved so as to make a tight closure with the valve seat on the inner end of the valve body, and is held yieldingly against said seat by ra spiral spring Y surrounding the guiding stem fw.

The larger screw-threaded portion'u3 of the valve body is arranged to screw into the end of the laterally projecting nozzle 72 of the tap, a washer g/ of suitable packing i material being clamped against the end of said nozzle 29 by the flange u', to make an air tight joint.

The check-valve thus constructed is simple, durable, easy of access and free from the disadvantages of the rubber valves heretofore used for such purposes.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. In a tap-valve, the combination, with a bushing having an internal screw-thread and a head provided with an eccentrically arranged port, of a plug having an external screw-thread arranged. to engage the screwthread of the bushing, said plug having an eccentrically arranged port arranged to be brought into alinement with the port in the bushing when the plug is rotated in one direction and to be moved out of alinement when the plug is rotated in the opposite direction, a valve body arranged to rotate with the plug and provided with an eccentric port in alinement with the plug port, said valve body being movable axially with respect to theplug, a valve plate carried by the valve body, and yielding means for maintaining said valveplate in contact with the head of the bushing.

2. In a tap-valve, the combination, with a bushing having an internal screw-thread and a head provided with an eccentrically arranged port, of a plug having an external screw-thread arranged to engage the screwthread of the bushing, said plug having an eccentrically arranged port arranged to be brought into alinement with the port in the bushing when the plug is rotated in one-direction and to be moved out of alinement when the plug is rotated in the opposite direction, a valve body arranged to rotate with the plug and provided with an eccentric port in alinement with the plug port, said valve body being movable axially with respect to the plug, a valve plate carried by the valve body, and a plate spring between the valve body and the plug for maintaining said valve plate in contact with the head of the bushing.

3. In a tap-valve, the combination, with a bushing having a head provided with an eccentric port, of a plug rotatable and axially movable within said bushing and provided with an eccentric port, a valve body having a tubular sleeve arranged to enter the port in the plug and to be brought into and out of alinement with the port in the bushing, a valve plate carried by the valve body and having an opening in line with the bore of the tubular sleeve, and yielding means operating on the valve body to maintain the valve-plate in contact with the head of the bushing.

4i. In a tap-valve, the combination, with a bushing having a head provided with an annular raised track and an eccentric port surrounded by a raised valve seat, of a plug rotatable within said bushing and provided 5. In a tap-valve,the combination, with a bushing having a head provided with anv eccentric port, said head having a raised annular track and a raised valve seat surrounding the port, of a plug screw-threaded into the bushing, and provided with an eccentric port, a valve-body iaving a .valve plate and provided with a tubular sleeve arranged to enter the port in the plug, said valve-body also having a pillar engaging the plug, and a plate spring provided with a body held between the pillar and sleeve, said plate spring bearing against the plug and provided with armsl bearing at different points on the valve-body, whereby the valve plate is held in contact with the raised annular track and valve seat.

6.- In a tap-valve, the combination with av bushing having an internal screw-thread and a head provided with an eccentrically arranged port, of a plug having an external screw-thread arranged to engage the screwthread of the bushing, said plug having an eccentrically arranged port arranged to be brought into alinement with the port in the bushing when the plug is rotated in onevdi rection and to be moved out of alinement when the plug is rotated in the oppositevdirection, a valve body arranged to rotate with the plug and provided with an eccentric port, said valve body being movable axially toward or from the plug, a valve plate carried by the valve body, yielding means for maintaining said valve plate in contact with the head of the bushing, and means for preventing access of foreign matter between.

said valve body and said plug.

7. In a tap-valve, the combination, with a bushing having a head provided with an eccentric Dort, of a plug rotatable and axially movable within said bushing and provided with an eccentric port, a valve body havingr a tubular sleeve arranged to enter the port in the plug with a close sliding lit and to be brought into and out of alinement with the port in the bushing, a valve plate carried by the valve body and having an opening in line with the bore of the tubular sleeve, and yielding means for maintaining the valve-plate in contact with the head of the bushing. v

8. In a tap valve, the combination, with a bushing having a head provided with an eccentric port and adapted to serve as a valve seat, of a plug rotatable within said bushing and thereby movable toward and from said head, a valve member between said head and plug arranged to seat against said head and having a port in line with the plug port, said valve member being arranged to be rotated with the plug to bring the alined plug and valve ports into line with the port in the bushing head, said plug and valve member being capable however of limited relative movement toward and from each other, and means cooperating with said plug and tending to maintain the valve member seated against said bushing head.

9. In a tap valve, the combination, with a bushingl having a head provided with an eccentric port and adapted to serve as a valve seat, of a valve member rotatably Seated against said head and provided with a port adapted to register with the port in said head, a plug rotatable within said bushing and thereby movable toward and from said valve member, said plug being provided with a port, means securing said valve member to said plug to compel rotation of the valve member therewith and to maintain their ports in alinement, said means being arranged to permit limited movement of 1Ehe plug toward and from the valve mem- In witness whereof I have hereunto ailixed my hand this 2nd day of July, 1912.

CHARLES F. TERNEY. Witnesses:

M. C. Massin, JOHN H. SIGGERS.

copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

